The Coast Guard Academy was named the recipient of the June Division III Diversity Spotlight Initiative in the NCAA Division III July 2019 monthly publication.
The Diversity Spotlight Initiative recognizes and promotes outstanding diversity-related projects, programming and initiatives occurring on Division III campuses and conference offices.
To foster a more inclusive environment, the members of the Academy’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion attended a seven-day Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity workshop. The peer-led SEED workshop gathered 65 education professionals, including three Coast guard Academy representatives to discuss diversity topics, exercises, and self-reflection.
Dr. Kurt Colella, Dean of Academics; Dr. Dan Rose, Interim Athletic Director; and Capt. Rick Wester, Commandant of Cadets returned to the Coast Guard Academy to facilitate a nine-month long “Equity Minded Seminar” with a group of 32 staff and faculty members. In addition, a cadet seminar was organized with roughly the same number of participants, with both groups running from August 2018 through May 2019.
Participants took part in interactive exercises and conversations that connected their own personal experiences to the workplace at the Academy.
Sessions took place every third Tuesday of the month for staff members, and Saturday mornings for cadets.
Cadets and faculty considered the seminars largely successful.
The Coast Guard Academy plans to send additional staff members to become certified facilitators in support of future Equity Minded Seminars.
Future SEED sessions are part of a campus wide effort to cultivate a more supportive and inclusive environment at the Coast Guard Academy.
Read more at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy
